Arkansas PSC to hold public input session on SWEPCO rate increase Tuesday

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, The Arkansas Public Service Commission will hold a public comment hearing on the pending Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) general rate increase application. The public comment session will begin at 6:00 pm at the Fayetteville Town Center.

Back in February, SWEPCO filed an application with the Arkansas Public Service Commission seeking approval of a general rate increase of approximately $53.9 million.

Since then, several groups have analyzed the rate increase and made recommendations. On Sept. 17, 2009, SWEPCO, the Arkansas Attorney General and the General Staff of the Arkansas Public Service Commission filed a Settlement Agreement offered in resolution of all outstanding contested issues in SWEPCO’s rate increase case that, if approved by the Commission, will increase SWEPCO’s rates by approximately $17.8 million, around $36.1 million less than initially requested.

If the agreement is approved, an average SWEPCO residential electric service customer using 1000 kWh per month will see a bill increase of approximately $3.84 per month, or 5.17%. SWEPCO’s residential customers that subscribe to the Residential-Basic Electric Heating class service will see a bill increase of approximately $4.92 per month or 7.08%.

The purpose of the public comment hearing is to allow an opportunity for SWEPCO’s customers to comment on SWEPCO’s application for a general rate increase as well as the proposed Settlement Agreement. Comments may be provided orally or submitted in writing. Written comments and/or questions regarding the rate increase may be sent to:

Secretary of the Commission,
1000 Center St, P.O. Box 400
Little Rock, AR 72203-0400

Comments may also be submitted through the public comment area of the Commission’s website.

Public hearings on SWEPCO rate increase/ settlement agreement

When: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Where: Fayetteville Town Center
More: Submit comments online